September 1999 seems a long time ago, but it was then that the kneeler project was publicly launched. Nearly 6 years later, it is almost, but not quite, finished – in fact some of us think it will never be completely finished! A small committee under the leadership of Barbara Waplington organised the work and fundraising, designs were chosen, materials ordered, and away we went!

The aim was to completely replace the church’s kneelers, 180 in all, as well as eventually the altar kneelers, those for the choir, and 2 new kneelers for weddings. 6 designs were chosen, each representing an aspect of St Luke’s Church. In addition 6 kneelers have been worked incorporating the Formby family’s coat of arms – these will be placed in the Formby pew.

There has been enthusiastic support for the project from the beginning, and the committee has been able to recruit many helpers. All we need now is a final push to the finishing line, the last few canvasses to be stitched and finished.

Of the 180, 155 are now complete. Around 75 people have contributed to the stitching, but that is only part of the story (the easy part!). After stitching, each kneeler takes up to 8 hours to finish, and a faithful, hardworking, dedicated team of 6 or 7 have taken this on. We are hoping to arrange a display of the processes involved when the kneelers are dedicated in October – please come and see the effort involved.

The project has been ambitious and long, but the results are definitely worthwhile, and not just counted in finished kneelers. The fellowship shared and friendships made over the years have been equally valuable. Our regret is that Barbara will not be with us to celebrate the end of the project; she will be remembered with gratitude, and commemorated on one of the kneelers. We trust that the kneelers will contribute to the future worship and prayer life of St Luke’s Church in her service to God, for whom all this was done.

Anne Dixon and the Kneeler Committee.